Khaleej Times - Oil on a high - 27 April 2006

AS WAS mentioned in the opinion column, there seems to be an amicable solution to the surge in oil prices. As an out of box solution to counter the inflation, we have to invest in the hydrocarbons stock and silently witness the cash register ringing.

There's some anticipation that the price could move up to US$ 100 per barrel. Economists have various theories of permutations and combinations for increase in oil price. For an ordinary man, the price increase is a key aspect of worry and frustration, as he has to spend more for deriving the same level of benefit.


- Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Kaavya and plagiarism - 2 May 2006 - Khaleej Times

IT IS frustrating to note that a budding teenager Kaavya Viswanathan from the renowned University of Harvard has resorted to the act of plagiarism. More so because, the third generation of Indo-US citizens are making faster strides in the US by virtue of their discipline, decorum and perseverance and had deserved the accolades and respects of their counterparts across the Atlantic.

In respect of any piece of works from arts to architecture, from literature to music, it is natural that artists draw inspiration from previous works of the kind which they admire.

Modern day composers, however, to one step further and straightaway lift the tunes of other composers and rename them as a source of inspiration. Over the time, we had noticed that there’s a thin dividing line between inspiration and plagiarism. If a verisimilitude of the original works is produced, it cannot be considered as inspiration but termed as ‘plagiarism’.


— Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Naushad Ali - Death of a legend - Asianage - 8th May 2006

Sir, Indian film industry has lost one of its greatest composers, Naushad Ali (Naushad dies at 87, May 6). In the age of re-mixes, where songs wither as autumn leaves, his evergreen compositions from Mughal-E-Azam, Baiju Bawra, Kohinoor, Mother India, Dil Diya Dard Liya etc., are still resonating in our ears. He was the first composer to combine the flute and the clarinet, the sitar and the mandolin. In addition, he earned the rare distinction of introducing Hindustani classical music and singers to film music, as Bade Ghulam Ali Khan in Mughal-E-Azam and D.V. Paluskar in Baiju Bawra.

Yasmin Banu
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Khaleej Times - Naushad’s magic - 8 May 2006

THE Indian film industry has lost one of the greatest composers of our times. A living legend, Naushad Ali breathed his last in the Nanavati hospital, Mumbai. In the age of re-mix ,where the repeat value of the song and the composer wither like leaves of the fall, his evergreen compositions from Mughal-e-Azam, Baiju Bawra, Kohinoor, Mother India, Dil Diya Dard Liya etc. still resonate in our ears.

Leaving his ancestral home for Mumbai to get a much-needed break as a composer in the films, he had the sobering experience of spending his life on the footpath. Success never eluded him due to his dexterity and love for music.

Finally with Baiju Bawra became a mammoth success and he never looked back. He was the first composer to combine the flute and the clarinet, the sitar and mandolin.

In addition, holding a rare distinction of introducing Hindustani classical music and singers to film music as Bade Ghulam Ali Khan in Mughal-e-Azam and D.V. Pulaskar in Baiju Bawra, he was inspired by the ragas.
- Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Khaleej Times - May 2' 2006 - Kaavya and Plagiarism

Kaavya and plagiarism

2 May 2006

IT IS frustrating to note that a budding teenager Kaavya Viswanathan from the renowned University of Harvard has resorted to the act of plagiarism. More so because, the third generation of Indo-US citizens are making faster strides in the US by virtue of their discipline, decorum and perseverance and had deserved the accolades and respects of their counterparts across the Atlantic.

In respect of any piece of works from arts to architecture, from literature to music, it is natural that artists draw inspiration from previous works of the kind which they admire.

Modern day composers, however, to one step further and straightaway lift the tunes of other composers and rename them as a source of inspiration. Over the time, we had noticed that there’s a thin dividing line between inspiration and plagiarism. If a verisimilitude of the original works is produced, it cannot be considered as inspiration but termed as ‘plagiarism’.

— Yasmin Banu, Abu Dha

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Lifting - Asianage

Sir, It is frustrating to note that a budding teenager from a renowned university like Harvard has resorted to plagiarism (Publisher says no to apology by Kaavya, April 26). Third generation Indian-Americans are making great strides in the United States because of their intelligence, discipline, decorum and perseverance. And they deserve the respect of the country they live in. This is not the way that they should be hitting headlines. While it is true that to be influenced by a work of art, a story, a novel, a song, is a natural phenomenon, one must realise that there is a difference between "influence" and what is nothing but "lifting." Kaavya is a teenager, and has a long way to go. So it is sad that in pursuit of fame and money she has set such a bad example and brought shame to the Indian community based in the US.

Yasmin Banu
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Social responsibility - Khaleej Times 1 March 2006

A WISE man once said that ‘every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them’. The new world order has a distinct picture to reveal as indicated by the verdict of late model Jessica Lal. After more than five years of investigations, the accused were given a clean chit and acquitted.Unfortunately, during long periods of trial, the witness turns hostile due to apparent reasons and the entire filament gets fabricated. The judiciary is forced to give the benefit of doubt to the accused as they do not have sufficient witnesses and there are no proper laws to deal with witnesses who change their story as the case progresses.When an innocent person is brutally murdered, where do we stand collectively in bringing justice to the victim or victimised family? We have a moral responsibility in such situations. Until we act, well-connected personalities who place themselves above the law will remain scot-free and continue to commit heinous crimes in broad daylight.

— Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Letters to the editor : Khaleej Times - 7st Mar 2006 - What's faith got to do with it?

IT IS quite incongruous that worldwide demonstrations on the cartoon issue are equated by the Dubai Port taking control of the US ports. The port issue is solely a mercantile venture of the two parties involved, and no faith is challenged in it.The zeitgeist of today’s world is freedom for everything, but there are inhibitions with which the Press has to adhere. The public cry emphasises the solidarity for ridiculing a reformist who had exemplary characteristics that transformed into an Islamic civilisation spanning five continents.Peace protests are a norm of life to show dissent for matters that need consideration. If these demonstrations turn violent by arson, looting and death of innocent lives, an aberration needs to be condemned. Furthermore, to invade a sovereign nation under a false pretext for perpetual flow of fossil fuels is in no way justified. In the mayhem, an entire generation of growth, prosperity and security of the denizens is lost.Islam advocates peace and promulgates tolerance and non-violence to its followers. Therefore, the final messenger Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) is a mercy for mankind, and he being humiliated cannot be taken in a lighter vein by his followers.
Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Think of the poor - Asianage

Sir, A wise man once said, "A healthy society is known by how it treats its less fortunate." Did the Union Budget take this thought into account (PC keeps status quo, March 1)? There is no question that for three successive years Indian economy has seen more than 7 per cent growth. It is also a fact that the Indian elite and the middle classes have made huge strides. But, lest we forget, India is essentially an agrarian economy. We still have millions of farmers who are completely dependent on the monsoons. Many parts of the country are yet to see proper irrigation systems. Though the money allocated for rural infrastructure development has increased significantly over the years, the allocated funds often fail to reach the grass roots and help the people who need that money the most. The developed countries have huge subsidies lined up for their farmers, and, therefore, their products are cheaper, whereas our farmers get a negligible subsidy and are unable to compete with outsiders. If India considers itself a growing economy at par with the developed economies, it cannot marginalise its rural population.

Yasmin Banu

Indian policy - Asianage

Sir, Dr A. Gopalakrishnan is absolutely right in saying that India has no reason to follow the West when formulating its foreign policy (Don’t follow West on Iran, March 14). It is well known that in politics there are no permanent friends or foes, but only permanent interests. The United States’ newfound interest in India is because of the latter’s growing economic stature, and because of the US’ own interest in propping up a power in Asia to counter the emerging giant China. India is an active member of the non-aligned movement and the founder of the Panchsheel doctrine. India has also had a long-standing credible relationship with Iran, socially, economically, politically and culturally. We should remember that it was not too long ago that the US refused to sell us supercomputers. After that, our team of indigenous scientists designed the supercomputer Param. Sharing knowledge or indigenous technology development is a requirement for every nation. Iran should not be an exception to this golden rule, if its aim of enhancing its nuclear facilities is for its own domestic use. Also, the India-Pakistan-Iran pipeline will immensely help India’s hydro-carbon starved economy.

Yasmin Banu
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dance bars - "The Hindu - Apr 17th "

Targeting a category in the name of decency is unjustified. With no alternative sources of livelihood, the dancers' lives were thrown out of gear. The verdict is a godsend for the bar girls.

Yasmin Banu, Abu Dhabi

Ethical dwarf

Ethical dwarf - Asianage

Sir, Suhel Seth in his article Silliness is in fashion (April 3) forgot that we are living in an instant world. It is the world of instant food, instant drinks and instant success. The reverberations generated by a Fashion Week should not come as a surprise as the younger generation is all geared to catch the limelight. It was not long ago when one television channel was garnering votes for the retrial of Jessica Lal’s case to present it to the President; hardly 200,000 people voted. But another channel while airing a popular talent search contest got around five million votes. After all, in beauty pageants the contestants always claim Mother Teresa as their role model. Then they use these pageants as a launch pad for a lucrative career in films. We may have become a nuclear giant, but we have also become an ethical dwarf.

- Yasmin Banu Abu Dhabi, UAE

My Article in "The Hindu"

A Sacrilege

Sir, It cannot be denied that every dawn meets its dusk, as very much illustrated through the unceremonious exit of Dr Verghese Kurien (‘Milkman’ Kurien quits, March 20). He was the prime mover behind the dairy movement in Anand, Gujarat. The brand Amul, derived from the Sanskrit word amoolya (priceless), is a household name in India thanks to Dr Kurien. He emancipated the dairy farmers from the clutches of poverty. Thanks to him, India is one of the leading milk producers in the world. The treatment he has got in the twilight of his career, is a sacrilege. However, for the common Indian, he will always remain a one-man industry.

Yasmin Banu
Abu Dhabi, UAE